Shirley Bryan
Shirley Morton Jeffrey Bryan, 79, of Chattanooga, Tennessee, passed away on Monday, February 27, 2017.
Shirley Ann Morton was born to Elvin and Willie Mae (Stokes) Morton of Lynn Grove, Kentucky. She had two older brothers and one older sister. She was a ‘change of life’ baby born 16 years later than her siblings, Bob, Harry and Mary Ella Morton.
Shirley was a cheerleader at Lynn Grove High School and attended Murray Training School. People would remember Shirley for her beautiful voice. She was given a scholarship to Murray State but gave up her musical opportunities to begin a family when she married William Thomas Jeffrey. They had five girls, Susan (deceased) Lisa, Jill, Angela and Jennifer. They were members of First Methodist Church in Murray before moving to Lexington.
After their divorce, Shirley spent the next few decades raising her children and being a doting grandmother, living in Chattanooga, with her second husband of 28 years, James C. Bryan from Paducah, Ky. (buried in Chattanooga National Cemetery).
Shirley worked as a telecommunications analyst at SunTrust Bank until her retirement in 1999.
Shirley was known to give whatever and whenever she could to her family and her community. She taught Sunday school at Lake Vista United Methodist and later was a member of Bayside Baptist Church.
Shirley’s daughter Susan had a rare disease called Neman Picks and she died when she was just eight years old. Shirley would often quote a favorite thing Susan used to say if she heard a fuss, “be quiet and be happy.” They are now reunited.
Shirley’s daughter Lisa lives in Kentucky and would visit her quarterly in Chattanooga. Lisa’s favorite thing was to spoil Shirley (whom she called ‘Momma’ even if her sisters spelled it ‘Mama’). Lisa would get up early the next day and bring her Momma back Panera Quiche and a Starbucks coffee. They had many spiritual talks and enlightenments they shared together over the years. One thing Shirley made sure to do was to send Charles Stanley devotions to Lisa as they both enjoyed them.
Her daughter Jill was teased by her sisters that she was “Mama’s Favorite” because Shirley felt her quiet-spoken daughter needed defending when jokingly picked on. Jill was always a Mama’s girl, and very devoted to her. Both singing for their churches, they shared gospel performance tracks with each other. Jill delighted in spoiling her Mama with delicious meals she cooked and would bring them to her and run errands for her when Shirley stopped driving.
Shirley and her daughter Angela were alike in many ways – especially their tenacity. Angela took on the role as her caregiver when Shirley began to need assistance and she depended lovingly on her daughter enjoying any time they were together even if it was just to go to a doctor visit. But Angie also spoiled Shirley with Mani-Pedi days. Angie was instrumental as a young girl in the salvation of her Mama when she asked her mother to go to church with her. Shirley was a most faithful servant of the Lord ever since.
Chattanoogan readers may remember Shirley as “Lois” in the “Willie Mae” restaurant review sagas or simply known as “Mama” when mentioned in the writings of her daughter Jennifer. While Jen lived in Chattanooga, she had coaxed her into many adventures and ‘Mama’ gave her much writing material. Anything Jen ever tried in her life, her Mama was always her greatest cheerleader and number one fan. Shirley babied her youngest baby whenever she could.
Shirley was the world’s best back scratcher.
Shirley made the best fried chicken you would ever taste.
Shirley was a mighty prayer warrior – especially for her children.
Shirley was a caregiver herself and waited hand and foot on each and every family member.
As a widow, Shirley learned to move on and, some years later she had a special friend named Bill. He knew of what hindered her, and what she might be facing in illness, but they were already in love – he stuck by her. Shirley was so happy in her last days on earth.
Shirley was preceded in death by her parents, her first daughter Susan, her three siblings and her husbands (the old girl kept holding on until nobody was left – she never wanted to miss anything).
She is survived by her four daughters and seven grandchildren who will miss her very much and look forward to reuniting with her in Heaven. Her surviving children are Lisa (Karen) Taylor-Jeffrey, Jill (Jeffrey) Sweet, Angela (Jim) Fielden and Jennifer (Jason) Billington. Her grandchildren are Megan Rose, Kyle Jeffrey, Mary Grace, Jonathan Miles, Nathan Thomas, Andrew Reed and Kassidy Ann. As well as much loved extended family and nine great-grandchildren.
The family will receive from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. on Wednesday, March 1, at Heritage Funeral Home, 7454 E. Brainerd Road.
A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, March 1, at 1 p.m. in the funeral home chapel with Pastor Robin Ashe officiating.
Please visit www.heritagechattanooga.com to share words of comfort to the family.